Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia yesterday said his trust in his chauffeur had been betrayed, as he repeatedly denied having tried to cover up anything on the shooting incident involving the driver, Paul Sheehan.

Dr Mallia said he trusted Mr Sheehan to the point that he allowed him to drive his children.

He never had any indication that either of his two escorts could go so far.

He was answering a question in Parliament about Wednesday night’s shooting. He said he neither covered anything up nor ordered anybody to do so.

I never covered anything up nor ordered anybody to do so

He also denied he was taking the country back to the 1980s. At that time, he said, he had been in the Nationalist camp, leading Peter Paul Busuttil’s court case against his frame-up and fighting against the threat to freedom.

He could understand that the Opposition now wanted his head on a plate, for various reasons.

The PQ to Dr Mallia was put by Labour Whip Carmelo Abela, who asked whether he had any comments on the incident. Opposition deputy leader Mario de Marco objected repeatedly, saying ministerial statements must come after question time.

Dr Mallia rejected Dr de Marco’s allegation that he was trying to dodge his ministerial responsibilities. Having an armed escort was not something he had come up with himself, he said, mentioning Guido de Marco, Eddie Fenech Adami and Richard Cachia Caruana as among those who had been given armed protection

Dr de Marco said it was shameful to mention the deceased politically. No minister should cover up a criminal incident or order the removal of evidence.

If not Dr Mallia, who had done so and ordered that the media be misguided?

Dr Mallia said if proof emerged of a cover-up he would demand that person’s resignation.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat last night refused to reply to media questions about who was responsible for supplying the DOI with information on the night of the incident that proved to be false.

He said he received a phone call about the incident that evening but did not remember the time. The inquiry would now determine whether there was a cover-up.

“I am not a DOI employee to delineate the procedures undergone,” he said.